49316 Materials Handling
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10061 Bachelor of Engineering Diploma Engineering Practice OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10066 Bachelor of Engineering Science OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10067 Bachelor of Engineering OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09067 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Diploma Professional Engineering Practice OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09066 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Description
The materials handling industry is very broad, covering almost all industries including mining, mineral processing, agricultural production, food processing, power production, chemical processing, manufacturing, packaging, pharmaceutical production and many others. Since the industrial revolution, people have made increasing use of mechanical methods of handling materials. This has been to such an extent that in the Western world almost everything, including food, raw materials, building materials and finished products, has probably been mechanically handled many times before it reaches the consumer. This subjects covers the main systems and methods of mechanical handling of materials, both bulk solids handling and discrete handling of products and goods. Topics include: screw, belt and bucket conveyors and elevators; pneumatic and hydraulic conveying of bulk solids; storage systems; and feeding, sampling and weighing of materials and systems for handling artefacts, factory products and packaged goods.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Characterise the properties of bulk materials and explain their impact on the design of storage and conveying systems. (D.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Design hoppers for mass and funnel flow and wall loading. (C.1) |
| 3. | Explain the application for the various feeders used in industry and select appropriate bin/feeder arrangements. (D.1) |
| 4. | Design and select conveyor for designated bulk material handling systems. (C.1) |
| 5. | Apply the principles of sampling, measuring and weighing of bulk solids. (D.1) |
| 6. | Work professionally, either autonomously or in a team, to solve problems, communicate and make critical decisions. (E.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design thinking and decision-making methodologies in new contexts or to novel problems, to explore, test, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, theories or concepts. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply theoretical, conceptual, software and physical tools and advanced discipline knowledge to research, evaluate and predict future performance of systems characterised by complexity. (D.1)
- Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating autonomously within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
Students enrolled in the Master of Professional Engineering should note that this subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 competencies:
- 1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
- 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
- 2.3. Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
- 3.2. Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
Teaching and learning strategies
Independent learning
Student learning outside the classroom is a key learning strategy in this subject. Students will do a large part of the learning in this subject by completing all of the pre-class activities including watching relevant audio-visual materials posted on Canvas, reading, analysing and reflecting upon the assigned readings. Students will be given tasks to interact with the pre class activities and these will be discussed in class.
Interactive seminars
The seminars in this subject involve interactive class discussion between students and their peers and teachers about pre-assigned problems, exercises, audio-visual material and readings. Students will work on particular selected problems in groups of around 8-10 students. Academic staff are available to assist each group or individual and will facilitate collaborative discussions amongst the group where needed.
Several seminars will incorporate guest lectures from industry practitioners to improve students' knowledge of the recent technological developments and awareness of the real world.
Feedback
Students will be provided with on-going feedback on their understanding of the weekly topics through in-class discussions. Feedback, including common problems and detailed marking criteria, will be provided to the students after each of the assessment items are marked (except the final examination). A one-hour consultation will be arranged weekly to assist students' study outside the class time.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Bins and Hopper Design
| Intent: | Introductory design project involving the design of a bin or hopper. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 14% |
Assessment task 2: Lab report
| Intent: | Laboratory experimental work |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): D.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 12% |
Assessment task 3: Discrete handling
| Intent: | Design project involving the design of a Sampling and measurement systems and the evaluation of AGV system. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 10% |
Assessment task 4: Pneumatic and Hydraulic conveying
| Intent: | Taking a systems approach to the design of complete materials handling system, e.g. a cement distribution system involving several items of bulk handling and storage equipment. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 4 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1, D.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 18% |
Assessment task 5: Bucket Elevators, Screw Conveyors and Belt Conveyers
| Intent: | Introductory design project involving the assessment of needs and the design of a materials handling system such as a screw conveyor or bucket elevator. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 16% |
Assessment task 6: Examination
| Intent: | To assess the depth of understanding of the design of materials handling systems. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Required texts
No text is recommended. Notes will be handed out in class each week for the following week so that you can pre-read before the lecture.